Three Facts About Divine Providence

Romans 8:28

The God of the Bible, our heavenly Father, is God "who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will" (Eph. 1:11). He is always at work, and he always does exactly what he will (Psa. 115:3; 135:6). He will not be dictated to by his creatures. He dictates all things. Here are three facts that will help you in your understanding of God's adorable providence.

GOD'S PROVIDENCE IS MYSTERIOUS (Rom. 11:33-36). His judgments are a great deep. His ways are past finding out. Yet, this much we know: (1.) God always has his way! (2.) His ways are not our ways, and (3.) His way is always right!

GOD'S PROVIDENCE IS UNIVERSAL. It is all-inclusive! Our God rules everything, great and small, everywhere and always! Someone said, "In providence God's attention is concentrated everywhere." God's providence is so minute in detail that no sparrow falls to the ground apart from God's direction and the very hairs of your head are all numbered. All inanimate matter obeys his voice. At his command light began to shine out of the darkness, the Red Sea was dried up, the earth opened up to swallow Korah and his followers into hell, and the fires of the furnace in Babylon had no heat! God controls all irrational creatures completely. At his pleasure flies, frogs, locusts, and lice filled the land of Egypt, but not one of the loathesome creatures came into the camp of Israel. When he wanted his wayward prophet, Jonah, to go preach in Ninevah, God sent a whale to carry him there! When Peter was almost gone, the Lord caused a rooster to crow for his restoration! God controls all rational creatures too, good and bad, absolutely (Psa. 76:10; Prov. 16:4; Acts 2:23; 4:27-28). "The LORD hath prepared his throne in the heavens; and his kingdom ruleth over all!"

GOD'S PROVIDENCE IS GOOD. "All things work together for good to them that love God!" The good is not immediate, temporal, carnal good, but spiritual and eternal good for all God's elect. It is good for me to know Christ, be found in him, and be like him. Whatever God has to do to bring me to Christ in glory is good! Carefully read Psalm 107 and adore God's good providence.

Don Fortner